Archive for June, 2016

Let’s get this kicked off with some new Calvin Harris and while I’ll be first to jump on the sell out train of EDM, this track includes Dizzee Rascal and it’s undeniable that this grime artist is something very unique. He transforms this track from another “whatever bro” club banger to something that is worthy to bump in even the most eclectic of speakers. The next song is an interesting mashup of genres, featuring Paul Banks of Interpol and RZA from Wu Tang Clan, they are called Banks and Steelz and it bangs. The contrast is so striking that it just works, not sure why…

Keeping with the rap and r&b, we have a song a bit later from an artist named Khalid (not to be confused with “another one”). This song starts out rough, but smooths out in a very nice way. His voice almost sounds like Bastille to me for some reason. It is just a solid track. Next up is jiving track from Ontario producer Andrew Hunt under the cryptic name FTRSL with some help of two other bands/artists named Owls & Bears. Sure it’s kind of pop-y, but that’s definitely a plus, it’s smooth and so much fun.

Wrapping up the list we have a song from Los Angeles songstress White Sea. Her song “Ellipses” swells with so much intensity and it is absolutely beautiful! I liken her to a soprano version of Zola Jesus and I’m very much down. And now finishing off on a high note is a effervescent track from an artist named Xan Young. His music is a bit less enigmatic than all the cool images on Facebook, and I am a fan of that. It’s playful and great to have on in the background or just jam out to!

Are y’all ready? Because I have a big list for you. Keep in mind, I had nothing to feature as of Monday morning, though I went down a rabbit hole of new music and found some crazy good new tracks for your aural pleasure.

First up, WE HAVE NEW TWO DOOR!!! That’s all, that’s it. It’s been far too long since we’ve gotten new music from the Irish group of guys and while this song didn’t immediately strike me as gold, I’ve certainly warmed up to it. Give it a couple listens prior to giving a full judgement as well and I think you’ll start to fall in love. Next is a new track from a French duo called Bengale and it is funk-tastic and so much fun. I mean, just look at the artwork for the single, how can you not like these guys?

So, I love featuring sultry songstresses on my playlists and this smooth, R&B princess, Brika, surely hits all the right spots. Her track “You” is dynamic and playful all while having a certain originality to it. Switching gears completely, we have a brand, spankin’ new song from Icelandic post-rockers Sigur Rós. To accompany the release of this song, they also live-streamed a 24 hour drive through Iceland that can be found here. While I have never really gotten into this band over the years, this track certainly sounds much better to my more refined palate (as compared to my early, emo years). Let’s just keep this up as we switch gears again by going to a new Disclosure track featuring soul-king Al Green. This collab is big and this track is fire! AAAND, speaking of big collabs, next is a fun little track from CHVRCHES that is kind of like a remix?! It is one of their album tracks only featuring verses from the one and only, Hayley Williams and while not too different from the original, it’s a cool collab.

Let’s move on to a track from a band strikingly named Let’s Eat Grandma. I have to tell you, I enjoyed getting through their new album “I, Gemini” as it was ruckus and intense, while pulling in many different directions. You get wandering vocals, you get tribal drums, you get flutes, you get intricate orchestrations, you get discordant sounds, you get everything. They’re riot grrrl, evolved, and only 17 too!

Jumping towards the end, we have a beautiful track from Tel Aviv-based Totemo. I’ve found myself listening to this song over and over the past couple days and I still cannot get enough. “Hits” has so much going on. Japanese-influenced instrumentation, Purity Ring-esqe vocals, and beautiful strings weaving in and out and overlayed on top of a clean beat. And, last up, we have a killer, dreamy track from girl duo Puro Instinct. This will certainly take you into the ethereal where everything is perfect and golden. It’s such a great track to sink into on repeat. Go ahead, try it and tell me how freaking relaxed you feel.

While starting a new job, I surprisingly was still able to find some new music to assemble in a list for y’all. Starting off with a bang, we have a really original track from Local Natives that really doens’t sound like anything they have put out before. Very exciting. Moving on to new Angel Olsen as well that swells with such intensity like only she can. “Still gotta wake up and be someone” basically summed up my entire Tuesday, so I have enjoyed this track solely based upon that line…and then some.

Vince Staples has been killing the game, and with the wondrous jams of Clams Casino, one can do no wrong. Hard hitting rhymes killin’ it!

Dâm-Funk? DAMN FUNK! Sounds like something out of the 80’s and there is nothing wrong with that! It’s so infectious and I actually never want it to stop. This new album from this artist will certainly be much anticipated by yours truly!

Jumping towards the end of the list we have two new tracks from newly released albums, one being from Peter Bjorn & John’s “Breakin’ Point” and the next being from veterans Garbage’s “Strange Little Birds”. The former being a glitchy dancy track and the latter being hard, proggy track that can rival any NIN track. These peeps definitely got it dialed in and this album is complete proof of that. I can’t get enough of it.

Holy hell, guys! These past couple weeks have been like a whirlwind. Sadly, I missed last week’s post, though I’m back with a short one this week and some KILLER new music.

Starting off strong, we have an exciting new track from The Avalanches that is probably the most multifaceted song you will hear all year. It also happens be the first song from these guys in SIXTEEN YEARS!!! What could top that you say? Well, the next song from a little act named Beck was released the same exact day and I have to say, it quickly became my favorite Beck song ever. I’m sure you’ll agree after hearing it, so fun, so summery, so synthy, so Donkey Kong Country-y?! Skipping ahead, we’re still going strong with this crazy track from this crazy producer called Machinedrum and it bangs harder than hell. I have listened to this song at least 50 times in the past 72 hours and I can’t get enough.

Also, on this list, we’re seeing strong new music from The Head and the Heart,The Kills, and Slaptop.

This week’s playlist is like a hottest new hits sandwich with three strong final tracks as well. The first coming from Boston producer iMAGiN8 that truly makes any time “Adventure Time”. The next is Bossa Nova track from Parisians Caravan Palace. I cannot get enough of these guys’ music. If you haven’t checked them out, go do yourself a favor and go through their entire (extensive) catalog, it does not fail to please! Last, but certainly not least, is a new track from the ever-interesting Sofi Tukker. A two piece who met while studying at Brown University that does not settle for making music like you’ve heard before. They refuse to be “derivative” and have a sound that is fresh and worldly, also, it doesn’t hurt that all of their tracks are complete bangers.